A new Heart for a new day Psalm 51:10-12

The great King David had fallen into sin with Bathsheba and Nathan the Prophet confronted him sternly.  At this point David had several choices in how he, the King would respond.   He could have denied it.  He could have made excuses for his actions blaming the situation.  He could have cried, "I'm the King, I get what I want!"  He could have done any of those things.

  In our day we have seen these types of reactions over and over haven't we.  Why just last week a football player talked about how it was difficult for him to tell that he was driving so fast because he had a fast car and there wasn't much difference between 60 miles an hour and 90.  Frankly I'm not sure what kind of car he's driving but regardless I think there's a huge difference between those speeds.  Such excuses don't generally impress the police or the head coach.

David however chose another response.  He humbly accepted responsibility for his actions.  Such humility is difficult but when a prophet calls you out there's not much else to do.   Following his confession and his time of mourning David addresses the Lord again this time for mercy.  He knew God had every right to punish him, which the Lord would do, but David sought after the heart of God and asked for a redue.   In our text he asks, " Restore to me the Joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me."

David understood that he needed a new start and a new heart.  He needed a pure heart.  He needed the Holy Spirit within him.  He needed a willing heart or spirit to sustain him.  Without this transformation on the inside he knew that he was hopeless.   David knew his old heart and it wasn't very pretty.   David was a smart man.   He didn't just ask for forgiveness and then try his best to be good with the help of his old heart.   No he needed forgiveness and he needed a new heart.   Without the new heart David was destined for future failure just as I'm sure our football friend will soon be speeding Cleveland's highways at 90 miles an hour plus in the near future.

What about you?  What sins entangle you?  Do you simply ask for God's forgiveness every time or have you cried out for a new pure heart empowered by the Spirit of God. 
  
  If you want true freedom it starts with a new heart.  A heart filled with the joy that existed at our salvation.